As per the notification, 12 judges, over 360 district and civil judges have been allotted to the new Telangana state.

Andhra Pradesh High Court got over 500 district and civil judges as the two high courts began functioning as separate entities today onwards.

Note:

The Supreme Court had directed the Centre to bifurcate the existing high court in Hyderabad and by a Central notification, the bifurcation process has been completed a few days ago facilitating the two high courts to function in their respective states.

Source: The Statesman

Important Days

2. 1st January: DRDO day

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) day celebrated on 1st January every year.

The DRDO was established in 1958 with just 10 laboratories to enhance the research work in the defence sector.

According to DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy, the country is self-reliant in areas of missiles, radars, sonars and torpedoes and many other systems.

The Organisation has been working over the years to develop state of the art weapon system for the country's armed forces.

Note:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is an agency of the Republic of India, charged with the military's research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India.

It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Source: AIR News

Science & Defence

3. ISRO launches Samwad with students to engage them in space science activities

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched Samwad with Students as part of its outreach programme in Bengaluru.

40 students and 10 teachers from select schools interacted with ISRO Chairman Dr. K Sivan about the Indian Space Programme and their benefits to the common man.

During the three-hour stay at ISRO Head office, the students and teachers also interacted with scientists and engineers.

The Indian Space agency will engage youngsters across the country in activities concerning space science under this programme.

5. Dharmendra Pradhan launches Ujjwala sanitary napkin initiative

It will expand women’s access to hygiene products and provide them with employment opportunities in every district of the state.

The Central scheme will be a counter to the Odisha government’s Khushi scheme, in which sanitary napkins are provided free of cost to female students of government and government-aided schools in the state.

In the first phase, Around 100 local manufacturing units will be set up by oil marketing companies at Common Service Centres (CSCs) across 93 blocks in all 30 districts of Odisha.

The cost of setting up each manufacturing unit is expected to be Rs 2.94 crores, and the sanitary napkins will be priced at Rs 42 per pack of eight pads.

The Reserve Bank has allowed a one-time restructuring of existing debt of up to 25 crore rupees for the companies which have defaulted on payment but the loans given to them have continued to be classified as standard assets.

The decision will help the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which are facing a cash crunch in the wake of demonetisation and GST implementation.

Earlier, The RBI's board had advised the central bank to examine a scheme for the restructuring of stressed standard assets of MSME borrowers with aggregate credit facilities of up to 25 crore rupees.

Eligible for the scheme:

The aggregate exposure, including non-fund-based facilities of banks and NBFCs, to a borrower, should not exceed 25 crore rupees as on January 1, 2019.

The restructuring has to be implemented by 31st of March 2020.

Source: The Economic Times

9. 23 goods and services become cheaper with reduced GST rates

The Union government has notified reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on twenty-three goods and services, including movie tickets, TV, monitor screen and power banks

On 22nd December 2018, The GST Council had decided to cut tax rates on these goods and services and exempted music books, preserved vegetables and savings bank accounts under the Jan Dhan Yojana from the Tax.

Source: Business Today

10. Loan subsidy for middle-income group extended till March 2020

According to Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) loan subsidy for the middle-income group has been extended till 31st March 2020.

Around one lakh beneficiaries have taken benefit of the scheme so far.

under PMAY, 68.7 lakh houses have been sanctioned, 37 lakh houses have been grounded and 13.5 lakh have been completed and handed over.

An investment of 3.85 lakh crore rupees has been envisaged under the mission.

11. Lok Sabha passes the Indian Medical Council (Amendment), Bill

It amends the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and replaces the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018.

The Bill is aimed at revamping medical education regulatory system in the country.

The 1956 Act provides for supersession of the MCI and its reconstitution within a period of three years.

The Bill amends this provision to provide for the supersession of the MCI for a period of one year.

Source: The Business Line

International Affairs

12. US and Israel quit UNESCO citing bias

The United States (US) and Israel officially quit the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with the close of 2018.

In 2017, The countries had announced their decisions in of withdrawing from the agency, accusing it of bias against Israel.

It is best known for its World Heritage program, which designates cultural sites and aims to preserve traditions.

UNESCO also works to improve education for girls, promote understanding of the Holocaust's horrors, and to defend media freedom.

The withdrawals will not greatly impact UNESCO financially since it has been dealing with a funding slash ever since 2011 when both Israel and the US stopped paying dues after Palestine was voted in as a member state.

Note:

America has demanded fundamental reform in UNESCO, which was co-founded by it after World War II to foster peace.

Source: DD News

13. ESAF SFB gets RBI nod to operate as Scheduled Bank

ESAF small finance bank has got RBI approval to operate as a scheduled bank.

This makes ESAF small finance bank (SFB) the fifth scheduled bank from Kerala.

ESAF microfinance institution, started in 1992, was one among the ten applicants to receive approval from RBI to start banking operations in 2016.

Sports

14. India's Smriti Mandhana named ICC women's cricketer of the year

India's Smriti Mandhana (22-years) was crowned women's cricketer of the year by the sport's world governing body ICC.

The left-handed batswoman was also named ODI cricketer of the year for accumulating 669 runs off 12 one-day internationals.

She scored 622 runs in 25 T20 matches this year.

Australia's wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy was voted T20 player of the year.

She finished with 225 runs from six matches as Australia beat arch-rivals England in the final.

England's teenage spinner Sophie Ecclestone was named the emerging player of the year.

Note:

Mandhana is only the second Indian woman to win an International Cricket Council award after fast bowler Jhulan Goswami who was named the women's player of the year in 2007.

Source: The Economic Times

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'Thoughts of the day'

"Reach for the stars, even if you have to stand on a cactus.”

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